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2011-05-12 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION SUMMARY MINUTES May 12, 2011 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Vogel called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 5:30 p.m. in the P Floor Conference Room of City Hall, 121 — 5th Avenue North. He read the Commission's mission statement. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT Larry Vogel, Chair Fred Bell Christine Deiner-Karr John Dewhirst Andy Eccleshall Eric Norenberg (arrived at 5:50 p.m.) Steve Waite READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES STAFF PRESENT Diane Cunningham, Administrative Assistant COMMISSIONERS ABSENT Sue Bauer, Vice Chair Jennifer Anttila Michael Plunkett COMMISSIONER ECCLESHALL MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JANUARY 13, 2011 AND MARCH 10, 2011 AS PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER DEWHIRST SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. AGENDA ADDITIONS/CHANGES Commissioner Eccleshall asked that a discussion about the walking tour be added to the agenda. Chair Vogel also requested a status report on the solar panel project at the Frances Anderson Center. Ms. Cunningham reported that the City approved the project, and the panels would be installed after the arts festival. REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE There was no one in the audience. COMMITTEE REPORTS Registration Committee The Registration Committee did not have any activity to report. Education and Outreach Committee Chair Vogel announced that the next edition of THE PRESERVATIONIST is in progress. Commissioner Dewhirst agreed to sponsor the next edition by providing the paper. Commissioner Eccleshall reported on the progress he has made to update the walking tour brochure. He invited the Commissioners to share their ideas for additional historic sites that could be added to the walking tour. The Commission agreed that all properties identified on the state and local registers should be included in the brochure. Because some of the properties identified on the walking tour are privately owned, the Commission agreed it would be appropriate to send a courtesy notice to these owners, asking them to return an attached postcard if they do not want to participate. It was discussed that several Commissioners have approached the owners of the Tommy Hall House (536 Bell Street) several times, about the option of listing the home on the Register. So far, there has been no interest. They discussed that the home was previously owned by Commissioner Deiner-Karr's grandparents and great grandparents, and she has pictures of her in the backyard when she was very young. The Commission agreed to consider this property as a feature article in a future edition of THE PRESERVATIONIST, and Commissioner Deiner-Karr would provide pictures. Preservation Planning Committee Commissioner Eccleshall reported that members of the Preservation Planning Committee are participating in the selection process for a consultant to expand the Historic Survey. They will interview three of the seven applicants. Commissioner Eccleshall announced that a public meeting on the Downtown Edmonds Cultural Heritage Tour Project is scheduled for June 2nd at 7 p.m. at the Edmonds Conference Center. The public is invited to share their memories about 4"' Avenue and Downtown Edmonds for possible inclusion in the walking tour brochure. All the information collected would be archived at the Edmonds Museum. Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society Commissioner Bell announced that he would replace Alan Macfarlane as the Society's representative on the Commission. He reported that the Society has been working for over two years to re-establish a plaque program. He suggested the Society and Commission coordinate their efforts. The museum could purchase the plaques, and the City could install them. The Commission agreed it would be appropriate for the two groups to work together to place plaques on properties that are identified on the Register. It was suggested that placing plaques on other historic properties that are not on the Register, such as the Edmonds Theater, may encourage more owners to place their properties on the Register. They agreed to review the list of historic properties to identify potential candidates for plaques. NEW BUSINESS No new business was scheduled on the agenda. Review of Mission Statement The Commission reviewed and updated their mission statement. COMMISSIONER DEINER-KARR MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION APPROVE THE UPDATED MISSION STATEMENT TO READ AS FOLLOWS: "The mission of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission is to encourage the owners of historically significant structures to voluntarily place their property on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places, promote the formation of historic districts, and raise awareness of local history." COMMISSIONER ECCLESHALL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Update on Calendar The Commission reviewed the proposed layout and script for the calendar and offered accolades to Commissioners Eccleshall and Norenberg. They offered their comments, and Commissioners Eccleshall and Norenberg agreed to continue Historic Preservation Commission Minutes May 12, 2011 Page 2 their work, with the goal of finalizing the project by the end of September. The Commission discussed whether the calendars should be sold or given away. Ms. Cunningham agreed to contact the Finance Department for information about how to handle the proceeds from the calendars if they are sold. They discussed several options and Commissioner Deiner-Karr volunteered to do additional research. The Commission postponed their final decision until more information is available. The Commission agreed that information regarding historic preservation and the Commission should be included on the back cover of the calendars. Commissioner Definer -Karr suggested the Commission publish an electronic newsletter and improve their website so it is more accessible. Chair Vogel noted that he references the Historic Preservation Commission in each of the articles he writes for THE EDMONDS PATCH, an on-line newsletter. Update on Outside Lighting of the Edmonds Museum The Commission recalled that when the Museum presented their proposal to update the outside lighting on the Edmonds Museum, they expressed their desire that the Museum use flood lighting rather than attaching lighting around the perimeter of the building as an outline. They were concerned that attaching lights to the building could damage the fagade and negatively impact its daytime appearance. They felt that flood lighting would help the building stand out more. Commissioner Bell reported that the Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society Board has not yet made a decision about lighting. The Commission agreed to remove this item from future agendas. Potential Property Nominations There was no discussion about this item. Updates to Historic Inventory This item was not discussed. HISTORIC PRESERVATION CHAIR COMMENTS Chair Vogel announced that the next edition of THE PRESERVATIONIST should be ready by the Commission's next meeting. It will feature the Railroad history in Edmonds. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS None of the Commissioners had comments to provide during this portion of the meeting. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m. to an informal discussion to identify properties to include in the updated historic survey. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes May 12, 2011 Page 3